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When Twilight Burns (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles #4)

by Colleen Gleason (Goodreads Author)

4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 · rating details · 1,129 ratings · 71 reviews

After narrowly escaping Rome with her mortality, vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacey returns to London-where not even sunrise can stop a vampire's carnage. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses, but she's being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings. Meanwhile, the legacy of a vampire's touch has left hi...more

ebook, 368 pages

Published August 5th 2008 by Signet Book

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Jan 02, 2010 FlibBityFLooB rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-paranormal, read-in-2010, love-triangle, era-regency-pre-victorian, witty-i-am-not, vampires, urban-fantasy-or-paranormal

Is it wrong that when I read this series I wish it would turn into an episode of BIG LOVE? I can't decide who I prefer for Victoria. I love them both ;)

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Apr 13, 2010 Zeek rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hist-pnr, pnr, favorite-hero, vamps

I've been following Gleason's Gardella Chronicles from its inception. A mix of sub-genre's- is it historical romance? PNR? Fantasy? who can say, either way I love the hook of a Venator, (that's vampire slayer to you and me), from Jane Austen's world.

Like many of you following this series as well, the love triangle between Victoria- head Vamp Slayer and Illa Gardella in Gleason's world- and her two men, Max and Sebastian, keeps me coming back as well!

Continuing where Book 3- The Bleeding Dusk- le...more I've been following Gleason's Gardella Chronicles from its inception. A mix of sub-genre's- is it historical romance? PNR? Fantasy? who can say, either way I love the hook of a Venator, (that's vampire slayer to you and me), from Jane Austen's world.

Like many of you following this series as well, the love triangle between Victoria- head Vamp Slayer and Illa Gardella in Gleason's world- and her two men, Max and Sebastian, keeps me coming back as well!

Continuing where Book 3- The Bleeding Dusk- left off, Victoria awakens with those she cares about most hovering over her. Concern over the fact she drank the Vampire Beauregard's blood at the end of the last novel, has left them on pins and needles as to whether Victoria will turn Vamp. It has kept them by her bedside since she slew Beauregard and saved the day once again. But because of the presence of not one, but TWO vis bulla- piercings that give added power to Venators in Gleason world- she was able to hold off the turning that would have happened to anyone else if they had not been she ... at least for now.

Immediately upon her return to London, Victoria is reluctantly thrust back into the world of the ton with her oblivious mother scheming once again to get her married off. But Illa Gardella is not the only one to return to London. The dreaded Lilith- Queen of the Vamps- is back too and she has a plan. A plan that Victoria, Max and Sebastian must uncover and thwart before all of London falls prey to Lilith and her evil horde.

I loved, LOVED, the way this book came together. The beginning started off kind of slow for me, but by the time Victoria- and thereby us- understood why she must remain within London's elite society, I was with her all the way! It was very cool how the author played with history in WTB and I liked that aspect of the plot immensely. (Love alternate history story lines and this one has an edge of it!) I also liked the internal tug of war for Victoria's soul that played out throughout the novel ... and it's eventual resolution. (Because, like the character Wayren, I happen to believe that selfish actions are the seed of all evil as well!)

There were several threads coming together in WTB from the previous novels and I liked how Gleason tied them up- especially the love triangle aspect! Of course the door is always open, and everything in that regard is probably not tied up, but I hope- PRAY- she keeps on with where I think she's going!(less)

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Mar 18, 2012 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amazing-amazing-amazing

SIGH... GASP....SIGH...CRY...SQUEEEEELL...SIGH...CRY....BITES HANDS...REMEMBERS TO EAT....SIGH AGAIN....CRY AGAIN... DOES A HAPPY DANCE.

Thats pretty much the rollercoaster of emotions i experienced whilst reading this book. I'm only saddened now by the fact i only have one book left in the series to read. Fantastic prequel to the final installment.

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Feb 28, 2010 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampire-romance

I will not give any spoilers in this book, but, I will talk about spoilers from the previous books, so if you have NOT read the previous books in this series- then I do not recommend reading this review until you have, because it DOES contain SPOILERS from PREVIOUS books.

WOW!!! This book is amazing! There is more action than any of the previous books! In my opinion the second and third book were very dark. While this one seems more of the same, you can start to see the light at the end of the tu...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Miraphora added it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vampiri, romance-storico

Saltello di qua e di là come una scimmia impazzita per la felicità!
Era ora che la Gleason si decidesse a rendere le cose più chiare, ed era ora che Max (oooooh Maaaax *_*) diventasse più reale e meno bidimensionale degli altri romanzi. Finalmente succede quello che volevo che succedesse. Finalmente Victoria si toglie le fette di salame bergamasco artigianale dagli occhi e vede, sul serio, chi ha attorno e cosa le può riservare il futuro. Si comincia a parlare di piccoli/e Victoria ed è quindi l...more Saltello di qua e di là come una scimmia impazzita per la felicità!
Era ora che la Gleason si decidesse a rendere le cose più chiare, ed era ora che Max (oooooh Maaaax *_*) diventasse più reale e meno bidimensionale degli altri romanzi. Finalmente succede quello che volevo che succedesse. Finalmente Victoria si toglie le fette di salame bergamasco artigianale dagli occhi e vede, sul serio, chi ha attorno e cosa le può riservare il futuro. Si comincia a parlare di piccoli/e Victoria ed è quindi logico che la nostra si guardi attorno per scegliere il candidato ideale, no? E tra Sebastian, ormai spudoratamente dichiarato innamorato, e un Max focoso e passionale (maroooooooooooooonna santa) come mai abbiamo visto, Victoria oscilla da un polo all'altro, indecisa solo fino ad un certo punto e poi ZAC! ecco che compie la scelta, che grazie al cielo è esattamente quella che volevo io. La scena del combattimento tra Max e Victoria e del suo inevitabile risultato mi ha fatta esultare senza pudore e mi ha anche procurato non pochi bollori. Max è Max, e Sebastian non può reggere il confronto neanche a provarci seriamente. Anche se, lo ammetto, Seby caro mi ha fatto tenerezza quando si rende conto di aver perso 'la partita' e mi è piaciuto quando si è ritirato dalle danze con un aplomb da vero gentiluomo. Quindi, sarà quello che sarà (doppiogiochista, bugiardo e tante altre cose), ma per lo meno non si è fatto odiare, una volta che Victoria decide. Una nota di merito, quindi, per Colleen, che è riuscita a giostrarsi tra i due personaggi facendoceli piacere entrambi e odiare nessuno. Non è una cosa da tutti, avere due personaggi così diversi e tifare per uno, pur apprezzandone un altro.
Oltre alla parte romantica, che vabé la volevano tutti, anche il ritmo migliora sul serio. Non ci sono più punti morti e la narrazione è molto più scorrevole e serrata. L'unica cosa che mi ha lasciata perplessa è stata la scelta di chi doveva essere cattivo/morire/insomma finire male, la storia dell'incoronazione l'ho trovata campata per aria e poco chiara, però si è prestata bene per creare scene di azione che altrimenti sarebbero mancate.
Voto alto, altissimo, il massimo! Lo ammetto, sono di parte, se non fossi pro-Max probabilmente non mi sarebbe piaciuto, machisenefrega è andata così! *_* Esulto e attendo il prossimo ed ultimo romanzo della serie, nella speranza che la Gleason non mi stravolga le carte in tavola. (less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Blake16 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Oct 13, 2012 Sarah Iles rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Quarto della saga, "Il crepuscolo dei vampiri", mi ha attirato nella lettura. Devo dire che è un mix di alcuni clichè già visti in tv o letti qua e là ma la cosa che si può dire di bello all'autrice è che scrive molto bene, con dettaglio e con "movimento" direi. Non ci si stanca mai di leggere o di voler capire... come va a finire, cosa c'è dopo.

Ho trovato la traduzione in italiano ovviamente ottima ma devo dire che, e non ne capisco il motivo, c'è un uso spasmodico della parola -Egli. Quando si...more Quarto della saga, "Il crepuscolo dei vampiri", mi ha attirato nella lettura. Devo dire che è un mix di alcuni clichè già visti in tv o letti qua e là ma la cosa che si può dire di bello all'autrice è che scrive molto bene, con dettaglio e con "movimento" direi. Non ci si stanca mai di leggere o di voler capire... come va a finire, cosa c'è dopo.

Ho trovato la traduzione in italiano ovviamente ottima ma devo dire che, e non ne capisco il motivo, c'è un uso spasmodico della parola -Egli. Quando si legge un testo anche "come" è scritto offre un taglio alla storia, magari un romanzo ambientato nell' '800 potrebbe avere dialoghi con riverenze che nel 2012 non sentiamo più e così via dicendo. Nel testo in questione invece, a parte poche persone, non si utilizza una lingua adeguata al tempo tranne che nella scelta di questa tempesta di "Egli" che mi pare la traduzione bella e pura dell'inglese he/him, ma sappiamo bene che per evitare che il testo stoni possiamo anche utilizzare la forma del "lui" in italiano, per creare più fluidità, o mettere accanto ad -egli -ella, per creare omogenità... cosa che non c'è.

Cmq dopo il mio sfogo grammaticale vorrei dare una recensione positiva al libro e suggerire di non fare come me, ovvero di non cominciare dal quarto episodio, bensì dal primo della saga. L'attrazione maggiore del lettore è intorno alla tresca amorosa a tre della protagonista, Vittoria Gardella e gli spasimanti Sebastian e Max. In questo episodio pare ricomporsi la storia d'amore primaria, che non svelo così la andate a leggere. Ma posso dire che se avete amato la storia di Buffy, vera eroina ispiratrice di questa saga letteraria, vi piacerà anche questa, che potremmo definire un'antenata della serie di Wedon.

C'è tanta passione vampiresca anche tra i semplici umani.

Buona Lettura

Fourth in the series, "Twilight of the Vampires", drew me in reading. I must say that is a mix of some cliché've seen on TV or read here and there but the thing that can be said about the author is nice that writes very well, with detail and "movement" would say. There is never tired to read or want to understand ... how it ends, what's next.

I found the translation into Italian of course excellent but I must say, and I do not understand why there is a spasmodic use of the word-He.

Anyway after my outburst grammar would like to give a positive review of the book and suggest you do not like me, not to start the fourth episode, but the first in the series. The main attraction of the player is around the love affair with three of the protagonist, Victoria Gardella and suitors Sebastian and Max in this episode seems to compose the primary love story, which I will not tell so go read. But I can say that if you loved the story of Buffy, inspiring true heroine of this saga literature, you'll like this one, that could be called an ancestor of the series of Wedon.

There is so much passion vampire even among mere humans.

good Reading(less)

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Aug 26, 2008 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: paranormal fans interested in PG-13 sex scenes

Shelves: paranormal

Book four of five - Gleason continues to deliver great characters and action. Follow Victoria as she struggles to overcome the effects of Beauregard's vampire blood infusion. Sadly, the heroine makes a choice between suitors (Max and Sebastian) - and it was not the choice I wanted!

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Sep 27, 2012 Yukino rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: miei, 2011

LEI ERA ILLA GARDELLA!!!

Per tutti i vampiri!!!
si che lei è Illa Gardella!!!

Libro bellissimo...pieno di amore, suspance, lotta interiore e avvenimenti da lasciarti con la bocca spalancata e fare versetti di gioia, di stupore e di rabbia...e giurooooooooooooo non me ne sarei accorta se il mio ragazzo non mi avesse dovuto dire in continuazione "puoi per cortesia smettere di farmi venire gli spaventi?" eh già..perchè poretto mi ha dovuto sorbire mentre leggevo.

Ragazzi che libro! davvero...la trama è...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Romantika rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampiri

AMO QUESTA DONNA!

Crea dipendenza.. come farò senza questa saga??? Mi mancava la sensazione di leggere un libro tutto d'un fiato, aspettare di avere almeno 10 minuti liberi per poter leggere qualche pagina.

Parliamo dei personaggi:

Come già detto Sebastian continua a non piacermi, prima era inafidabile e ora che si è ricreduto è diventato un cucciolone innamorato ma altamente ASFISIANTE.. Sarà che io ho sempre preferito Max a lui. A proposito di MAX *_* questo libro è il migliore! pensavo che avend...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Sadia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, heroes-i-love, historical, paranormal, romance, bad-asses-of-the-finest-order

The plot keeps getting twisted. There's no end to the horrors of the undead, each day [in this case each book] bringing forth a fresh nightmare. This book sees the return of some characters I've come to loathe, Lilith, Sara [the alleged Fiance' of Max] and Gwendolyn and her brother.

A new kind of undead walk the streets of London, killing people in broad daylight. On top of that, Victoria has her own problems to deal with, and they are not only related to the fact that she fed from a vampire and...more

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May 08, 2011 Debora rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: preferiti, ebook, fisicamente_posseduto

Prima di tutto non posso che dire che Colleen Gleason scrive divinamente.
Dopo un inizio un po' criticato date le visibili somiglianze con il telefim Buffy, ogni nuovo libro si è rivelato decisamente migliore del precedente.
Questo quarto volume della Saga dei Gardella è a dir poco entusiasmante.

Victoria si trova per tutta la durata del romanzo a dover combattere su più fronti cavandosela egregiamente seppur con qualche, ovvio, scivolone.
I vampiri sembrano aver trovato il modo per eludere le limi...more

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Feb 18, 2011 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

Quarto libro della serie dei Gardella (attenzione spoiler sui precedenti libri!), When Twilight Burns (Il crepuscolo dei vampiri nella traduzione italiana) mette molta carne al fuoco. Sopravvissuta all'incontro con Beauregard, Victoria sembra essere sempre la stessa ma ben presto si rende conto che il sangue del vampiro ha lasciato un segno su di lei, e di essere costretta a combattere in continuazione con la sua parte cattiva ed egoista che tenta continuamente di emergere.
Nel frattempo la madr...more Quarto libro della serie dei Gardella (attenzione spoiler sui precedenti libri!), When Twilight Burns (Il crepuscolo dei vampiri nella traduzione italiana) mette molta carne al fuoco. Sopravvissuta all'incontro con Beauregard, Victoria sembra essere sempre la stessa ma ben presto si rende conto che il sangue del vampiro ha lasciato un segno su di lei, e di essere costretta a combattere in continuazione con la sua parte cattiva ed egoista che tenta continuamente di emergere.
Nel frattempo la madre Nelly e le sue amiche hanno tutte le intenzioni di riportare Victoria in società, e quando George Starcasset si ripresenta a Londra accompagnato dalla fidanzata Sara Regalado, le loro attenzioni si spostano sul nuovo marchese di Rockley come possibile futuro marito della cacciatrice (il nuovo marchese è l'erede del defunto marito di Victoria, che proprio in questo momento arriva in Inghilterra dagli Stati Uniti.
Ma fra un ballo, i preparativi per il matrimonio dell'amica di lunga data Gwendolyne e l'eccitazione per la prossima incoronazione di George IV con relativi festeggiamenti, Victoria incappa in una serie di delitti vampirici avvenuti in pieno giorno, cosa che non solo apre ernomemente spiacevoli prospettive per la lotta contro i vampiri, ma suscitano anche l'attenzione dell'agente di Bow Street Bemis Goodwin, sospettoso di Victoria e decisissimo a coglierla in fallo.
Non dimentichiamo poi il triangolo amoroso: mentre Max continua a essere Max, ovvero ombroso e distante (ma non per questo meno affascinante agli occhi di Victoria, che ripensa continuamente al loro unico bacio), Sebastian entra a tutti gli effetti nei ranghi dei Cacciatori, ben deciso a rispondere alla sua chiamata ora che lo zio è morto. Inoltre il suo atteggiamente nei confronti di Victoria, sebbene sempre beffardo e canzonatorio, è ormai molto trasparente, nessuna traccia dell'anticamente onnipresente ambiguità, e Victoria comincia a fidarsi davvero di lui...

La serie dei Gardella è davvero magnifica, iniziata con un primo libro che mi aveva davvero deluso, è proseguita davvero alla grande. Belli i personaggi, gli intrecci e anche l'ambientazione. E poi mi piace perchè c'è sempre dell'ironia in questi romanzi, non si prendono troppo sul serio. Consigliata. (less)

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Apr 18, 2011 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008-release, vampires, paranormal-romance

Here is a summary of events that happened at the end of The Bleeding Dusk that lead directly to what happens in When Twilight Burns.

Victoria has been bitten by the vampire Beauregard, Sebastian’s great grandfather times many times over. As she fights for her mortality with the vampires’ blood coursing throughout her veins, Sebastian and Max stand by her side, with Max ready at a moment’s notice to stake her if she turns completely. By wearing two vis bullae, she may have overcome the change to h...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Angelique rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge-2010-2011, read-in-german, historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 16, 2011 Fani rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, romance-historical, 2010-purchase, emotional, enemies-to-lovers, hero-is-brooding, hero-is-cold-or-rough, heroine-i-wanna-shake-or-slap, heroine-is-feisty, heroine-on-the-offensive, love-triangle, mystery-suspense, paranormal, paperbacks-read, widow-widower, heroine-kick-ass

4.5 stars
Much better than the last two that took place in Rome; that setting just didn't work for me. And the msytery and action were high in this one from page one.

Though a joy to read, my problems were mainly Victoria and her inability to act as Illa Gardella. Despite not being stupid, she does tend to act more impulsively than wisely and also has the awful tendency of walking into traps she knows they're there. I guess that's not as much Victoria's fault as the author's, who's trying to contr...more

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Sep 15, 2010 Crystal ♥ RBtWBC rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Series Review:
04.20.2011
http://paranormalromanceaddict.blogsp...

I was enthralled from the first page of The Rest Falls Away and was captivated until the end of As Shadows Fade. I devoured all five Gardella novels with in a week.

The Gardella Vampire Chronicles is a historical paranormal romance with a heroine, Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy, struggling to balance her normal life with her not so normal. I don't want to give any spoilers but she has a lot to deal with throughout the ser...more

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Dec 23, 2009 The Flooze rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2009, owned

The compelling aspect of this series rests within the bristling action, as well as the scathing and amusing banter between Victoria and the two men she's closest to. I especially love those moments where all three characters share the same space, goading and teasing one another with alternately coy and cutting remarks. The dynamic is marvelous, and it's a thrill to witness. It makes me giddy and inspires much girlish squealing.

In When Twilight Burns, Victoria returns to London with Sebastian by...more

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Jan 25, 2010 Natasja rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Victoria Gardella, one of the youngest Illa Gardella venators is dealing with the fact that she drank vampire Beauregard’s blood. Nobody knows what will happen with Victoria after all of this, it’s possible that she turns into the very creature she hunts every night. But because of the two “vis bulla’s”, a piercing that give powers to the ventator, Victoria was able to hold back the turning.

When she is healed enough, Victoria returns to London where her mother immediately starts planning for her...more Victoria Gardella, one of the youngest Illa Gardella venators is dealing with the fact that she drank vampire Beauregard’s blood. Nobody knows what will happen with Victoria after all of this, it’s possible that she turns into the very creature she hunts every night. But because of the two “vis bulla’s”, a piercing that give powers to the ventator, Victoria was able to hold back the turning.

When she is healed enough, Victoria returns to London where her mother immediately starts planning for her to get back in the world of the ton and another marriage. But Victoria has other things on her mind, because it seems that Lilith, Queen of the Vampires is back in London too. So Victoria, Max and Sebastian have to find out what Lilith wants and prevent that from happing.

When twilight burns by Colleen Gleason is the fourth novel in her Gardella series. I just love the whole regency rules and balls mixed up with the vampire and demon slaying. Who would have thought that a young woman, wearing layers of fabric can really slay a vampire?

We already know that Victoria is strong, determined and the youngest venator every. This book continues where The Bleeding Dusk left off. Victoria was bitten by Vampire Beauregard and was force to drink his blood in return, hoping that she will turn into the very creature she has been fighting against. But luckily for her wearing two “vis bulla’s” saved her from turning, but make her even stronger than she already were.

Her attraction to the two men in her life is still very strong. Sebastian is the great-grandson of vampire Beauregard and is determined to wind Victoria’s heart once and for all, maybe even make her his wife. She is attractive to him and they even shared some passionate nights together, but her heart is telling her something else.
Max is the other men and also a venator. But he was under a spell by Lilith and he isn’t sure if that spell is totally gone. Although his heart is telling him to love the woman he cares about, his mind is telling him something else. Victoria is in danger and the only thing to keep Lilith of her back is leaving her behind.

Ever time I pick up a book in the Gardella Series I’m wondering how this love triangle between Victoria, Max and Sebastian will go. Who will she choose? I think we have to wait a little longer to find that out.

A terrific vampire series settle in London and Italy with two strong male characters, fighting to win the heart of the woman they love. Well what kind of woman wouldn’t want that…two men fighting over her.
(less)

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Jun 06, 2009 Katie(babs) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When Twilight Burns brings the action back to London, England after the last two books took place in Rome. Not only are vampires still sucking the blood and lives of unsuspecting people at night, but now there is one or perhaps more who are striking during the day, and Victoria is being framed for these crimes. Poor Victoria never gets a break. Her mentor, aunt Eustacia who was the oldest living Venator, was killed and now Victoria has no one to guide her. Victoria is adrift, trying to keep her...more When Twilight Burns brings the action back to London, England after the last two books took place in Rome. Not only are vampires still sucking the blood and lives of unsuspecting people at night, but now there is one or perhaps more who are striking during the day, and Victoria is being framed for these crimes. Poor Victoria never gets a break. Her mentor, aunt Eustacia who was the oldest living Venator, was killed and now Victoria has no one to guide her. Victoria is adrift, trying to keep her secret night life, just that, a secret. She still can’t get over the memory of her husband she had to stake because he became a vampire and her feelings for Max, which have become more of an attraction, puts her at odds with herself because Max was the one to kill Eustacia. Then there is Sebastian, who is a Venator like Victoria, but walks a fine line because his grandfather, who is one of the head vampire honchos, so Victoria doesn’t know where his loyalties really lie.

There is a lot of action and vampire ass kicking that you won’t want to miss, plus Victoria, in a round about way makes a decision on whom she loves. I still think whom she ends up with could go either way. Max and Victoria have a major earth shattering moment between them, much more so than the heated kiss they shared in The Bleeding Dusk and Sebastian finally tells Victoria how he feels for her. Victoria is torn between these two men. She wants Sebastian in the physical sense but she can’t trust him, whereas with Max she cares for him because he is lost in the world, much like the way Victoria feels sometimes.

If you think love triangles and blood thirsty vampires aren’t enough, Victoria also has a big personal problem that may destroy her life. She may have a lot more in common with these creatures she hunts than she could ever have imagined.

Again, if you are not reading Colleen Gleason’s, Gardella Legacy, I am giving you a call to action to hop to it. Remember how I said this was an “on-going” series? Well, come March 2009, this series will come to and end with As Shadows Fade.(less)

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Jun 13, 2009 Madeline rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, errol-flynn, historical-fiction, love-story, regency-fiction, sff, guilty-pleasures, vampires, novels, gave-away

Well, I don't think I will be continuing with the series. Also, I'm probably overthinking the issues in these books.

The first two books were fun and charming, the third one less so but enough to interest me. And, to be fair, I think the best parts of Gleason's idea are still here, notably the conflict between Victoria's supernatural destiny and her highly ordered, extremely proper public life and position, as well as the interactions between the female characters who are all strong willed and i...more Well, I don't think I will be continuing with the series. Also, I'm probably overthinking the issues in these books.

The first two books were fun and charming, the third one less so but enough to interest me. And, to be fair, I think the best parts of Gleason's idea are still here, notably the conflict between Victoria's supernatural destiny and her highly ordered, extremely proper public life and position, as well as the interactions between the female characters who are all strong willed and interesting. (Or were until this book. Sigh. Really - vilifying Caroline of Brunswick? How original.) But the love triangle has become bloated and unable to support itself and extremely unconvincing. I still think Sebastian is an interesting character, but Max reads like a parody of a romance novel hero, which frankly Gleason isn't talented enough to pull off. He's so self-righteous and narrow minded, and I suppose his ~*inner turmoil*~ and Tragic Past are supposed to make him attractive but it just makes him irritating. He has no compassion for other people - and the way he imposes his own experiences and morality on Victoria is, we have been lead to believe throughout the entire series, an example of their sexual tension. Whatever. Their attraction has never convinced me; it seems cursory and tired and quite understandably given how clichéd a choice it is.

I'm going to quote Pride and Prejudice, which I think is warranted in this case. Mr. Bennett tells Elizabeth, "'My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.'" Well, I do not see how Victoria can respect Max (beyond his obvious physical prowess) and nor do I see much proof of his respect for her (ditto). To be fair, the moral point of view Max represents is prevalent throughout the book and definitely presented as The Right One, which is probably why these books have started to really irritate me (I mean, there were aspects that irritated me before . . . like, the martial arts stuff, which I think was meant to be racially and culturally inclusive but actually is kind of gross). When you introduce physical manifestations of evil, i.e. vampires, it is understandably tempting to simplify morality but frankly it makes the created world less convincing in the long run. Anyway, I've lost patience with the characters. These books have never been quite satisfying - the prose style is not rich enough, for one thing - but now they are actively disappointing me. So long, Victoria.(less)

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May 06, 2013 Adriana Munno rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

la nostra eroina prosegue per la sua strada piena emozioni, completti e sentimenti. la prosecuzione della storia non risulta mai banale è anzi sorprendente, complimenti all'autrice per un ritmo così serrato negli avvenimenti.
filamente victoria capisce la strada da seguire e lotta per essa e non parla del suo destino di cacciatrice ampiamente perseguito ma parlo dei suoi sentimenti contrastanti. bellissime le ambiantazioni, i balli, i costumi con i relativi apprezzamenti.
un libro degno di quest...more

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Sep 09, 2011 Cherie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My ratings system is as follows. One star is GOOD. The book is entertaining, easy to read and you don't want to stop reading because something about the book is compelling you not to. Two stars is GREAT! This time the story is not only entertaining, but highly creative, unique, easy to read and hard to put down. Three stars is EXCELLENT. Here the book has all aspects of one and two stars, but now the book is thought and emotionally provoking. Four is AWESOME. This is the read that is not only cr...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Paula Robinson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is my ABSOLUTE favorite of The Gardella Chronicles. Gleason gets down to the emotional level on these characters, and I LOVED it. Once I made that connection, I was no longer an outsider looking in. I became a character, who experienced all the conflicts both the hero and heroine face. I cried a lot with this book, but I also laughed and got ticked off. It was a wonderful ride. One I hope to get back on real soon.

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Jun 02, 2012 CriCra CriCra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: prestito

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 21, 2013 Aimee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Victoria and her vampire-slaying crew return to London, where she has to deal with painful memories, a new Lord Rockley, murder charges, her mother's unending matchmaking attempts, and, of course, Lilith and her minions, who have discovered how to walk in the sunlight. Her work is made all the more difficult by two wars going on inside her--one for her heart, the other for her soul.

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Sep 07, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

La saga dei Gardella mi ha appassionata fin da subito... Sexy, incontenibile e incasinata... Victoria Gardella è particolare e inconfondibile. Ogni personaggi ti da un po' di sè, ti incuriosisce e i colpi di scena non mancano.
Odio e amore sono sempre in agguato...
Victoria e la sua vita si intrecciano di continuo fra tragedie e scandali, fra incontenibili passioni.
Consiglio questa serie, Victoria ha molto da raccontare.
XOXO

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Nov 09, 2009 Jackie (Literary Escapism) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, para-romance, read-2008

Overall, When Twilight Burns was a great addition to this series and now I’m upset that I have to wait until March to read more. As Shadows Fade will be released on March 3, 2009 and will be the last novel in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. I’m really hoping that the one underlying story arc that has been magnificently played out so far (see spoiler for more details) will be concluded, because it’s obviously going to be a major part of the ending (see the As Shadows Fade description over at Gle...more

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Sep 17, 2008 Bec rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampire-novels, period-piece

Really enjoyed this book. The whole series has been described as a cross between Pride and Prejudice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I certainly agree with that. I've been enjoying these books, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The only "beef" that I have with the books is that each one ends on a cliffhanger and has the first chapter of the next book at the end of it. I find this to be most annoying, I much prefer for a story to end, and then have the option of purchasing t...more

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Nov 07, 2009 Ahrcadia the Duck Tamer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I came into this book knowing full well that I was not going to like the conclusion in the slightest, but the author did a fabulous job at softening the blow for me. Still hurt, though.

The relationships between Victoria and Max and Victoria and Sebastian were both developed quite well, not that either one went the direction I would have preferred, but that doesn't really matter to anyone else reading it.

A very good book with some quite startling revelations as to the nature of some characters, t...more

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About Colleen Gleason

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason has written more than twenty books for major publishers such as Penguin Group, Harlequin Enterprises, and HarperCollins (as Joss Ware). Her books have been translated into seven different languages.

Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.

She loves to hear from readers via her website, Face...more

More about Colleen Gleason...

Books by Colleen Gleason

The Rest Falls Away (Gardella Vampire Chronicles, #1)

Rises The Night (Gardella Vampire Chronicles, #2)

The Bleeding Dusk (Gardella Vampire Chronicles, #3)

As Shadows Fade (Gardella Vampire Chronicles, #5)

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When Twilight Burns (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles #4)

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